Representing Self, Accused Killer Waldon Resumes Own Questioning

Billy Ray Waldon, the accused killer who is acting as his own attorney, continued to question himself Thursday during his San Diego murder trial.

Waldon, 39, is charged with committing three slayings in December, 1985, along with attempted murder, arson, rape, robbery and special circumstances allegations. Waldon prefers to be called in court by the Cherokee name of Nvwtohiyada Idehesdi Sequoyah.

Out of the presence of the jury, Superior Court Judge David Gill disallowed Waldon from testifying about his state of mind at the time of the alleged crime spree, saying it was irrelevant because Waldon maintains he did not commit the crimes.

Waldon told Gill that the jury needs to know his state of mind at the time so it will know he could not have committed the crimes.

Waldon has been testifying for days as his own witness, but has been interrupted several times with other witnesses who had scheduling conflicts.

On Wednesday, a juror, Jesus Manzano, was excused by Gill and replaced with an alternate.

Last week, Gill heard testimony that Manzano may have commented on the case in a bar. Waldon argued against dismissing the juror, and Gill declined to do so then.

A request for reconsideration was made by the prosecution, and the judge dismissed Manzano.